NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION: To preserve the natural and cultural heritage of El Charco del Ingenio, and maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, with a primary focus on environmental education.

Like thousands of voices in this country and the world, the Botanical Garden is in solidarity with the families of students killed and disappeared across the country, and joins the growing public outcry aiming an effective solution to violence, corruption and impunity in Mexico.

THE DEFENSE OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGE AND 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We say goodbye to one more year of important accomplishments in El Charco del Ingenio, especially in the field of environmental conservation. Achieving Site Certification as a Natural Protected Area by the federal government, confirms El Charco’s great value as a natural heritage and reinforces the obligation of all stakeholders to conserve not only the Botanical Garden, but the whole Preservation Zone declared by the municipality since 2006. El Charco is, however, a threatened natural heritage: the recent authorization of an industrial park of over 200 acres a few miles from the site, openly contravening the Municipal Ecological Management Plan and federal regulations, represents a potentially serious risk not only for the wildlife of El Charco, but for the public health of the city and its surroundings.

Throughout 2014, the Botanical Garden supported several social actions, such as opposition from indigenous communities to a highway that was destructive of their heritage. Also El Charco, along with researchers from the UNAM and local civil organizations, supported Tierra Blanca de Abajo, a community devastated by a lung cancer caused by an existing mineral in the area and demanded the intervention of the authorities.

During 2014, El Charco continued its tradition of having botanical illustration classes, as well as another successful summer camp and International Hummingbird Festival. A magnificent Bird Guide was published, we now have a wonderful entrance/parking lot, a new amphiteater and a van. Our staff was invited to give environmental education training in Oaxaca, Michoacan and Queretaro and El Charco was recognized in several media articles. This is all in addition to our regular activities and events and we thank our creative and dedicated staff and volunteer who make it all possible.

The year will be a period of consolidation of the tasks of plant conservation. The integration of the outstanding Fitz Maurice cacti collection into our Garden means El Charco is now in charge of the largest collection of cacti in Mexico. Also we will form a scientific Herbarium of regional plants, the first in North Guanajuato.

In terms of environmental education, El Charco will continue to promote itself as a major destination for students of all levels, from elementary to graduate. Our greatest desire is to germinate these seeds of love and care for nature among the youngest in our society ...

FREE TRANSPORTATION TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN FROM THE HISTORICAL CENTER

Finally, El Charco del Ingenio has its own 15 passenger van to transport visitors and members. This new service will start operating free of charge starting Monday, December 1, from the historic center of San Miguel de Allende to the main entrance of the Botanical Garden and back.
The vehicle will pick up people on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 am at a single meeting point: Plaza Civica on Mesones Street. The van is easily identifiable by the logo of El Charco del Ingenio.
Information: Tels 1548838, 1544715, and charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

On Wednesday, December 17, and after many years of not having been done, the Christmas Bird Count in San Miguel took place once again. The purpose is to count as many bird species as possible in a single day between December 14th and January 5th. With a tradition of 115 years, this activity sponsored by the Audubon Society, began when the ornithologist Franz Chapman invited several people to do it on Christmas Day 1900, as an alternative to the indiscriminate hunting of birds in the United States in this migratory season. After all these years, the count has become one of the most important “citizen science” assessments worldwide.
The information collected is shared through a database known as eBird in the US and as aVerAves in Mexico, and provides scientists around the world with information to know the migratory routes and population trends of birds throughout the Continent .
Within a radius of 15 miles, sites are chosen to perform the count. In our case, El Charco del Ingenio, the Presa Allende and the Laja River were chosen, yielding a total of 83 species and 1,606 individuals. With the participation of about 20 people, nationals and foreign, this one day count resulted in an incredible day of hiking and comraderie. This motivates us to participate again next year. We invite you to join us!

HUMMINGBIRD SCULPTURE IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Among the various artistic activities that take place in the Botanical Garden, El Charco has gone a step further by creating a new space called the Sculpture Trail. Along this path, are permanently exhibited works by renowned artists, both sanmiguelenses as from other places. A committee of curators has already been established, which ensures that the art is of high quality and creatively integrates into the natural environment. This path, surrounded by greenery, part of the western end of Plaza of the Four Winds is framed by beautiful natural scenery.
The most recent work exhibited in this artistic path, called "Tribute to the Hummingbird", consists of three beautiful solid pieces of stainless steel, created by the Mexican sculptor Josefina Temin, which evoke these small and prodigious birds that frequent natural areas -and even urban-in the Americas.
The new acquisition , which was generously donated to the Botanical Gardens by the creator-- adds to existing pieces in the Walk: an iron sculpture called "Horse" by the San Miguel artist David Kestenbaum and the fiberglass piece, "Ring", by Leda Arias de la Canal.
Do not miss visiting the new Sculpture Trail.

NEW MEMBER OF SCIENTIFIC TEAM AT EL CHARCO

A week ago a young native of San Miguel, Vicente Hoogesteger, joined the staff of the Garden in the botanical area. Vincent is a graduate of the UNAM campus of Morelia with a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree and has a specific interest in the ecosystems of the North and Northeast of Guanajuato. Welcome, Vicente.

INCREASING NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

It was a very busy the Membership Party, last December, which took place in Posada Corazon in the historic center of San Miguel. 63 memberships were sold or renewed on that occasion, which were added to the hundreds of people who support the project and enjoy the natural reserve of our city. The annual membership fee is 700 pesos and entitles the cardholder and two companions unlimited access, as well as discounts on concerts and other activities. Memberships may be purchased at the Reception at the Botanical Garden.

EL CHARCO’ WISH LIST

El Charco del Ingenio is in need of many items. Below is a list of items to help us with our mission of protecting this nature preserve and providing environmental education across central Mexico.

If you have any of the items below or can donate the equivalent in pesos you will be helping to support a great, local cause.

❂ For our custodians who keep a watchful eye on every corner of El Charco: three sets of good binoculars
❂ A small quality digital camera for the office and another that includes macro for our naturalists.
❂ For the gardeners: two professional weed cutters
❂ For the office: multifunctional printer and propane heaters
❂ For the greenhouse: watering cans
❂ For the Café: a semi-professional or professional mixer
❂ Wheelchair and golf cart
❂ For the conservatory: a new roof
❂ For the board of directors: a documentarian and a video editor

GUIDE TO BIRDS OF EL CHARCO

Text in Spanish by Landy Orozco and photography by Susan and Wayne Colony. Editorial design by Marlene Parra and edited by the Botanical Garden in collaboration with the Institute of Ecology of the State of Guanajuato, 2014. This new publication inventories 159 species of resident and migratory birds in the Ecological Preservation Zone of El Charco del Ingenio, which represents about 35% of the bird species registered in the State of Guanajuato. Most of the photos, of grand artistic quality, were taken inside the reserve.

The Bird Guide is for sale at Camino Silvestre on Correo and Zacateros , Tierra Madre on Umarán and Correo, at Posada Corazon (Aldama), and of course in the Botanical Garden Gift Shop . It costs 300 pesos.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

Bird-watching Tours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am. English Cost: 100 pesos general public | 60 pesos El Charco members
Guides include Signe Hammer, Norman Besman, Luke Rich and Michael Wheatcroft.
The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time. Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

Come and bird watch with us – you’ll be surprised!!

TOURS IN SPANISH available. Saturday 10 & 24th, at 8a.m.

Info.:charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

Guided Tours in El Charco

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am| in English
Duration: two hours Cost: $80 pesos, members $50

Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.

THE FULL MOON CEREMONY

Monday, January 5th| 7p.m. | Plaza of 4 Winds |

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings and you may bring a musical instrument.
Alicia Mayo : 152 .0376.

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.
The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

At the Cafeteria…

This month’s recommendation is the spinach sandwich.

In the Gift Shop…

Products of honey, royal jelly, and pollen of excellent quality from Organic Botanical.